Unitary hanger for displaying articles

ABSTRACT

A unitary hanger for retaining articles to be displayed comprising a generally S-shaped, resilient rod having an upper jaw and a lower arm. The upper jaw generates a closing pressure for grasping a shelf or other support beam. The upper jaw also has stabilizing tabs for engaging the support beam and holding the hanger stationary. The lower arm deflects downward under the weight of the articles disposed on the arm causing the articles to move forwardly on the arm. An upwardly extending tip on the end of the lower arm retains the articles in place on the lower arm.

United States Patent 1 Feldman [54] UNITARY HANGER FOR DISPLAYING ARTICLES [76] Inventor: Burton G. Feldman, 175 E. Delaware St., Apt. 6403, Chicago, 111. 60611 [22] Filed: June 9, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 151,429

[51] Int. Cl ..A47f 5/01, A47f 1/00, A47f 7/00 [58] Field of Search; ..211/90, 59, 119, 211/57; 248/307 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1892 Trachsel ..211/59 9/1933 Neuschotz..... ....2l1/31UX 3,297,290 1/1967 Patterson ..211/59 1,188,227 6/1916 Woods ..248/307 2,962,168 11/1960 Hoffman ..211/59 3,252,583 5/1966 Walther ..211/119 [451 May 1,1973

2,802,576 8/1957 Kelling ..21 1/59 3,442,396 5/1969 Cass ...2l1/59 298,894 5/ 1884 Royston ..21 l/51 1,220,717 3/1917 Bennett ...211/35 UX 1,322,394 ll/l919 Bain ..211/119X Primary ExaminerRoy D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-Abraham Frankel Attorney-Hume, Clement, Hume & Lee

[5 7] ABSTRACT A unitary hanger for retaining articles to be displayed comprising a generally S-shaped, resilient rod having an upper jaw and a lower arm. The upper jaw generates a closing pressure for grasping a shelf or other support beam. The upper jaw also has stabilizing tabs for engaging the support beam and holding the hanger stationary. The lower arm deflects downward under the weight of the articles disposed on the arm causing the articles to move forwardly on the arm. An upwardly extending tip on the end of the lower arm retains the articles in place on the lower arm.

1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figures UNHTARY HANGER FOR DISPLAYHNG AlR'llTCLES The invention relates to a unitary hanger for retaining articles to be displayed. The hanger is attached to a shelf or other support beam and is held in place by a force generated by the hanger.

More particularly, the invention contemplates a unitary hanger for receiving articles to be displayed comprising a resilient rod having an upper jaw and a lower arm. The upper jaw generates a closing force for grasping a support beam when the jaw is opened and placed on the support beam. The lower arm forms a cantilever beam for receiving the articles to be displayed.

Various types of hangers for displaying articles are known in the art. However, the prior art hangers typically require a permanent, specialized support structure or a specially constructed panel for holding the panel in place. In contrast, the hanger of the present invention is of a unitary construction and can be attached to an existing support, such as a shelf or other support beam. This unique mounting eliminates the need for a special support structure or attaching means.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of an arm on the hanger which facilitates the movement of the articles to be displayed to an easily accessible position. Preferably, the arm is formed of a resilient material and deflects downward under the weight of the articles, thereby causing the articles to slide forwardly on the arm.

Yet another feature of the invention is the provision of stabilizing tabs on the portion of the hanger which engages the shelf or other support beam. These stabilizing tabs provide lateral support for the hanger of the present invention and maintain the hanger stationary on the shelf.

A physical embodiment of a preferred form of the invention is illustrated in detail in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hanger embodying the features of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hanger of FIG. 1, shown mounted on a shelf.

REferring to FIG. 1, a shelf hanger in accordance with the present invention for displaying articles is shown generally by the numeral 11. The shelf hanger 11 comprises an upper jaw 13 and a lower arm 15. The upper jaw 13 is utilized to grasp a support beam and hold the hanger l1 stationary. The lower arm 15 forms a cantilever beam and is utilized to support articles to be displayed.

The shelf hanger 11 (including the upper jaw 13 and the lower arm 15) is constructed from a rod which is bent to form the generally S-shaped contour of the hanger. The rod forming the hanger 11 is shown as having a circularcross-section. However, a rod having any desired cross-section and capable of performing the functions of the present invention can be utilized. The rod is preferably made of a resilient, spring-like material. This permits the upper jaw 13 to be moved apart to an open position. When the upper jaw 13 is in its open position, a closing force is generated due to the resilient nature of the rod. Also, the resilient nature of the rod permits the lower arm 15 to be deflected when a load is applied to the arm 15. The deflection of the lower arm 15 provides a self-dispensing action for the articles to be displayed as later detailed.

The upper jaw 13 preferably includes stabilizing tabs 17 and 18 which are generally V-shaped and lie in a plane perpendicular to the plane formed by the hanger 1 1. The lower arm 15 has an upwardly extending tip 19 formed on an outer end of the arm 15 as shown in the drawings. When a load is placed on the lower arm 15, in the form of articles to be displayed, the lower arm 15 and the phantom extending tip 19 deflect to the position shown in phantom and indicated by the numerals 15 and 19, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 2, the hanger l 1 is shown disposed upon a shelf 21. However, any support beam similar to the shelf 21 can be used to support the hanger 1 1. Typically, the shelf 21 is available in the environment in which the hanger 1 1 is desired to be used. For example, a retail store desiring to use the hanger 11 can utilize an existing shelf to mount the hanger 11. Therefore, it is not necessary to install a special support structure for the hanger 11.

In placing the hanger 11 on the shelf 21, the jaw 13 is opened and placed over the shelf 21. The closing pressure supplied by the jaw 13 grasps the shelf 21 and holds the hanger 1 1 in place. It should be noted that the upper jaw 13 is constructed to have a relatively small separation when in a relaxed position, as shown in FIG. 1. In order to accommodate the shelf 21 as shown in FIG. 2, the separation of the jaw 13 must be increased resulting in a closing force which grips the shelf 21.

The hanger 11 when mounted on the shelf 21 extends only slightly above the surface of the shelf 21. Thus, the mounting of the hanger 11 on the shelf 21 does not interfere with the placement of articles on the shelf 21 for storage.

The stabilizing tabs 17 and 18 lie in a plane parallel to the plane formed by the shelf 21. When the hanger 1 1 is in place on the shelf 21, the stabilizing tabs 17 and 18 contact the shelf 21 and provide lateral support to the hanger 11, thereby positioning the hanger firmly upon the shelf 21 and mounting the lower arm in its desired position.

Articles 23 which are to be displayed are shown disposed on the lower arm 15. The weight of the articles 23 deflects the lower arm 15 downwardly. The deflection of the arm 15 causes the articles 23 to slide in a forward direction along the arm 15 to the tip 19 in a self-dispensing action. The articles 23 are held in place on the arm 15 by the tip 19 which serves as a retaining means. The self-dispensing action positions the articles 23 on the forward part of the shelf 21 where the articles may be clearly displayed and are easily accessible for removal. The deflected position of the lower arm 15 and upwardly extending tip 19 in FIG. 2 generally corresponds to the position, shown in phantom, of the lower arm 15' and the upwardly extending tip 19 in FIG. 1.

It is to be understood that various modifications can be made to the disclosed unitary hanger without departing from the scope of the invention, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A generally S-shaped unitary hanger for carrying articles to be displayed comprising:

an expandable jaw member for receiving a support beam, said support beam being resiliently held by said jaw member upon insertion of said support beam into said jaw member;

an arm member extending from said jaw member to form a cantilever beam for carrying said articles to be displayed, said arm member deflecting downwardly under the weight of said articles to be displayed, thereby causing said articles to move forwardly on said arm member in a self-dispensing action;

an upwardly extending tip arranged on an end portion of said arm member for retaining said articles to be displayed, said upwardly extending tip forming an obtuse angle with said arm member; and

a pair of V-shaped stabilizing tabs disposed on said 

1. A generally S-shaped unitary hanger for carrying articles to be displayed comprising: an expandable jaw member for receiving a support beam, said support beam being resilientLy held by said jaw member upon insertion of said support beam into said jaw member; an arm member extending from said jaw member to form a cantilever beam for carrying said articles to be displayed, said arm member deflecting downwardly under the weight of said articles to be displayed, thereby causing said articles to move forwardly on said arm member in a self-dispensing action; an upwardly extending tip arranged on an end portion of said arm member for retaining said articles to be displayed, said upwardly extending tip forming an obtuse angle with said arm member; and a pair of V-shaped stabilizing tabs disposed on said jaw member, said pair of stabilizing tabs lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by said jaw member and said arm member, and substantially parallel to a plane defined by said support beam, said pair of stabilizing tabs providing lateral stability to said hanger, said pair of V-shaped stabilizing tabs being displaced longitudinally from one another along said jaw member and being disposed on opposing lateral sides of said jaw member and being disposed on a leg of said jaw member vertically opposing the arm member extending from said jaw member. 